Photovoltaic solar cells

Photovoltaic solar cells

• A. Capture light energy from the sun and transform it directly into electrical energy
• B. Store chemical energy
• C. Convert electrical energy into wind
• D. Produce heat through convection

Answer: (A)

Photovoltaic solar cells rely on the photovoltaic effect in semiconductors to convert light energy from the sun directly into electrical energy. When sunlight hits a silicon cell, photons excite electrons and create charge carriers that are separated by the built-in field of a p-n junction, producing a current in an external circuit. This is capturing light energy and transforming it directly into electrical energy. They do not store energy chemically, which is what batteries do; they do not convert electrical energy into wind, which would require a turbine; and they do not produce heat through convection, which is a heat transfer process.

Photovoltaic solar cells rely on the photovoltaic effect in semiconductors to convert light energy from the sun directly into electrical energy. When sunlight hits a silicon cell, photons excite electrons and create charge carriers that are separated by the built-in field of a p-n junction, producing a current in an external circuit. This is capturing light energy and transforming it directly into electrical energy. They do not store energy chemically, which is what batteries do; they do not convert electrical energy into wind, which would require a turbine; and they do not produce heat through convection, which is a heat transfer process.